Another, perhaps outside the box option?

[jamie k]

Okay, ...a few ideas that got me excited yesterday ....maybe approaching independent-ish food establishments ... Could it exist in the corner of another store?

Jersey Boy Bagels ...the Artist Baker ....the new falafel place -I think they have a cooler for drinks ...could anyplace that had a cooler like that sell something from a local farmer?  ...maybe some of these places would house and sell us our farm raised milk, eggs, meat, cheese? Then the community could be aware of these "locations" and it would encourage lots of people to patronize local businesses? Not that all places would have to do everything. But if I knew that I could get free range meat/poultry/dairy in town, I'd go there...... start small?

I also dreamed (a bigger dream) of how nice Verilli's vacant building would be ...it's a sweet location with parking on Martin Luther King ...how long would a co-cop have to be open to be convenient for people? Could it exist as a business if it were only open for evening hours a few times  or on weekends? Or in the corner of another store?

And then again that Fairchild Market used to be bustling ...it's on Burhnam Rd, a sweet, sweet building. There is a ton of space, and parking space, beautiful refrigerators and shelf space ...and he's open all the time and neighbors talk about how business seems sadly slow. Maybe the owner is open for a proposition? It's an easy bicycle ride for any M-town dwellers ...its maybe 15 minutes away. 

Anyway few ideas. I have no idea about the practicality, how businesses would respond or if anyone else thought it would be worth pursuing, but I thought it might be fun.

--Jamie

[shaun ananko]

hi jamie, what a great idea partnering up with local restaurants. I believe zebu is a good place to start. We know the manager there and I  know that particular location is breaking away from the franchise  Maybe once we find a farmer we could approach them with a plan.

Let's keep the ideas coming
Shaun A

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[Rebecca Karger]

Yes Jamie, thanks so much for coming up with new ideas. Fairchild market! Used to buy candy there when I was a kid. I'll have to go in and remind myself what it's like. Do you know the owners?

Becca

--
 
 
 

[Jamie Kovacs]

Becca- I do know the owner a bit ...he's interesting. A strong Greek gregarious character, who works hard ...I just think the location has screamed to me forever that it would be PERFECT for our kind of food for the community. I lived around the corner for a long time, when there were the previous owners. They used to sell Liquor and were BOOMING ...now that Tony (owner) is there, it's different, but way cleaner and really, really sweet. I'd be so interested to hear what others think.... ps. I used to buy candy there too! Circa 1983-5! Garbage Pail Kids, Dip it Sugary things ....no wonder I had cavities!!

Shaun- That is GREAT to hear that there might be a Morristown connection to get it going! 

YaY!!! So, glad to hear back from you both!!

BEst-

Jamie

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[Rebecca Karger]

For those who don't know it, here's a link to the Township/Plains Patch site on Fairchild Market: http://morris.patch.com/listings/fairchild-market-3#photo-4677147. They're open until 9pm on weekdays so stop in if you can.

Also checkout Zebu, which has been doing a bunch of creative community-oriented stuff including drawing sessions, open mikes, and fundraising for local organizations.

Jamie, if you plan to chat with the owner one day, let me know, I'd love to come with you to guage his response to this idea.

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[Kendra Arnold]

Maybe also talk to pSul miller who has approached zebu about doing stuff like this

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[Meghan Van Dyk]

Paul M. did approach Zebu about selling local goods like artisan breads and local produce and some prepared stuff. There is no kitchen there and apparently nothing has happened.

 

Also heard through the grapevine Zebu is struggling to keep up with rent and is in danger of closing.

--

--
Meghan Van Dyk
c: 201-925-6732
meghan...@gmail.com

[Jamie Kovacs]

Rebecca, THANK YOU!!!

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[Jayme]

Coming late to the party, but the guy who owns Fairchild Market is the son of the man who owns Verillis. (I'm pretty sure that is the relationship--or maybe nephew?) 

[Rebecca Karger]

Yes, same owner. Jamie K. and I visited him and addressed the idea. He could be open to the idea but mentioned that someone would have to run it because he doesn't have an interest or knowledge in selling healthfood.